Boat Cushion Mount

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a latching arrangement for securing a cushion or other structure to a mounting location. The latching arrangement includes a female latching element that interlocks with a corresponding male latching element. The female latching element can include a split sleeve that extends along a first axis from a first end to a second end. The female latching element can also include a flange that projects radially outwardly from the first end of the split sleeve. The female latching element can further including an elastic ring that mounts around the split sleeve at a location between the first and second ends of the split sleeve. The male latching element can include a shaft that extends along a second axis from a first end to a second end. The male latching element can also include a flange that projects radially outwardly from the first end of the shaft, and an enlarged head positioned at the second end of the shaft for retaining the shaft within the split sleeve when the male and female latching elements are coupled together.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/045,825, filed Apr. 17, 2008, which applicationis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Boats often have cushions that are detachably mounted at cushionmounting locations. For example, cushions are often detachable so as toallow storage areas located beneath or behind the cushions to be moreeasily accessed. Other cushions are removable to convert a region of aboat between a cushioned area (e.g., a sundeck or cushioned seating) anda hard platform such as a casting deck.

A prior art technique for detachably securing a cushion to a mountinglocation involves using a snap fastener. Typically, a button and socketassembly of the snap fastener is secured to a free end of a strap sewnto the cushion, and a stud and post assembly of the snap fastener issecured to a structural component of the boat. Most commonly, the studis screwed into a metal or fiber glass component of the boat. Bysnapping the button and socket assembly over the post of the stud andpost assembly, the cushion is secured to the cushion mounting locationof the boat. However, when used on fiber glass boats, the stud can causevisible damage to the boats' gel coat layers. Further, straps are oftenviewed as aesthetically unappealing and can be prone to wear.

More robust latching arrangements have also been used to detachablysecure boat cushions to cushion mounting locations of boats. However,existing cushion latching arrangements have components that areinstalled within custom recesses preformed within a structural componentof the boat. Therefore, to utilize such latching arrangements on anexisting boat style, the structural design of the boat must be modifiedto incorporate the recesses at predetermined locations. In the case offiber glass boats, this involves the expense of re-tooling a new mold.Furthermore, existing cushion latch arrangements are often rather largeand expensive.

In view of the above, improved latching/fastening arrangements areneeded for detachably mounting boat cushions at desired locations on aboat.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments described herein generally relate to fasteningarrangements for detachably mounting boat cushions at desired locationson a boat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure may be more completely understood inconsideration of the following detailed description of variousembodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat including a plurality of boatcushions detachably mounted at cushion mounting locations of the boat

FIG. 2 shows a latching arrangement having features in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a first side view of a female latching element.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a female latching element.

FIG. 5 is a second side view of a female latching element.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an elastic ring.

FIG. 7 is top view of an elastic ring

FIG. 8 is a first side view of a male latching element.

FIG. 9 is a second side view of a male latching element.

FIG. 10 a perspective view of a male latching element.

FIG. 11 is an example embodiment of a male latching element insertedinto a female latching element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a boat 100 including a hull with a bow 105, a stern 110, aport side 115 and starboard side 120. The boat 100 includes a passengerarea having a stern seating region 125 and a bow seating region 130. Theboat 100 also includes a plurality of boat cushions 135 detachablymounted at cushion mounting locations of the boat. The detachablecushions are each secured at their corresponding mounting location by apush-to-engage latching assembly. The latching assemblies include firstcomponents secured to the back sides or undersides of the cushions, andsecond components secured to structural components of the boat locatedat the mounting locations. When a given cushion is positioned at itscorresponding mounting location, the first and second latchingcomponents latch together to detachably secure the cushion at thecushion mounting location.

FIG. 2 shows a latching arrangement having features in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. The latching arrangement 200includes a first latching component in the form of a male latchingelement 205 shown secured to the back or underside of a cushion 210. Thelatching arrangement can also be referred to as a fastening arrangement,a retaining arrangement, a coupling arrangement, or like terms. Thelatching arrangement also includes a second latching component in theform of a female latching element 215 shown secured to a structuralcomponent 220 of a boat 100 at a cushion mounting location 225. Byaligning the male latching element 205 with the female latching element215, and then moving the cushion 210 toward the cushion mountinglocation, P, the male latching element 205 snaps within the femalelatching element 215 to detachably secure the cushion 210 at themounting location 225.

In one embodiment, the cushion can include a cushioning layer 230 havinga resilient construction such as foam. The cushion can also include asubstrate layer 235 secured to the cushioning layer. The substrate layerpreferably is less resilient than the cushioning layer. In oneembodiment, the substrate layer can include a plastic, metal or woodconstruction. A fabric layer can be provided over the cushioning layer(not shown). A perimeter of the fabric layer can be secured to theunderside of the substrate layer by fasteners such as staples. Theregion where the fabric is secured to the underside of the substrate canform a lower lip (not shown) that extends around the perimeter of theunderside of the substrate.

The structural component 220 of the boat to which the female latchingelement 215 is secured preferably has a generally rigid constructionsuch as aluminum, fiber glass, plastic or other materials. In certainembodiments, the structural component can include a boat platform, aboat seating area, a panel covering a storage area, a sidewall panel, adecking area, or other structures.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the female latching element 215 includes areceiver shown as a split sleeve 300. The receiver can also be referredto as a socket portion, a receptacle, or like terms. The split sleeve300 includes a first half sleeve 305 separated from a second half sleeve310 by a pair of slots 315. In alternative embodiments, the split sleeve300 can be separated into more than two pieces (e.g., more than twoslots could be used). A central passage 320 extends longitudinallythrough the split sleeve 300 along an axis M.

Referring still to FIGS. 3-5, the split sleeve 300 includes a first end400 positioned opposite from a second end 405. A mounting flange 410 isintegrally formed with the split sleeve 300 at the first end 400. Thesplit sleeve 300 has a truncated conical configuration with a majorinner cross-dimension A (e.g., an inner diameter) located at the firstend 400 and a minor inner cross-dimension, B, (e.g., an inner diameter)located at the second end 405. The outer body of the split sleeve 300 isalso tapered in a like manner. The mounting flange 410 has across-dimension (not labeled) that is greater than the maximum outercross-dimension of the split sleeve such that the underside of themounting flange forms a shoulder 320 that projects radially outwardlyfrom the first end 400 of the split sleeve 300. The mounting flangepreferably has a thickness T that is relatively small. In oneembodiment, the thickness is less than or equal or ¼ inch. In anotherembodiment, the thickness T is less than or equal to 3/16 of an inch. Instill another embodiment, the thickness T is less than or equal to about⅛ of an inch.

The mounting flange 410 has a lead-in opening 415 that is concentricwith the axis M such that the lead-in opening 415 is coaxially alignedwith the central passage 400 of the split sleeve 300. The lead-inopening 415 is tapered to provide a tapered leading-in surface 420 forguiding the male coupling element 205 through the mounting flange 410and into the split sleeve 300 during coupling of the male latchingelement 205 to the female latching element 215. The mounting flange 410also includes two fastener openings 425 positioned at opposite sides ofthe lead-in opening 415. The fastener openings 425 are adapted toreceive fasteners such as screws that extend through the fasteneropenings 425 and into a structural component 220 of the boat 100 towhich it is desired to mount the female latching element 215. Themounting flange 410 has countersunk regions 430 positioned around thefastener openings 425 so that heads of fasteners inserted through thefastener openings will be inset into the mounting flange 410.

The split sleeve 300 also includes a circumferential groove 500 thatextends around the outer perimeter of the split sleeve 300 at a locationbetween the first and second ends. The circumferential groove 500receives an elastic ring 600 that mounts around the split sleeve. Theelastic ring 600 includes a ring notch 605 describing a discontinuity inthe elastic ring 600, thereby facilitating with which thecircumferential groove 500 receives the elastic ring 600. In oneembodiment the elastic ring 600 made of a plastic material, such asmolded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In other embodiments, the femalelatching element 600 can have a metal construction. The elastic ring 600controls/varies the amount of force required to flex the first andsecond half-sleeves apart during insertion of the male latching element205 through the split sleeve 300.

In a preferred embodiment, the female latching element 215 has a molded,one piece construction. In one embodiment, the female latching element215 is molded of a plastic material such as nylon or other plasticmaterials. In other embodiments, the female latching element 215 canhave a metal construction.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the male latching element 205 includes a shaft800 that extends along an axis N between a first end 900 and a secondend 905. The shaft 800 has a truncated conical configuration with amajor cross-dimension 910 located at the first end 900 and a minorcross-dimension 905 located at the second end 905. A mounting flange 810is integrally formed with the first end 900 of the shaft 800. Themounting flange 810 has a cross-dimension 920 that is greater than themajor cross-dimension 910 of the shaft 800. The mounting flange 810defines first and second fastener openings 1000 located at oppositesides of the shaft 800. The fastener openings 800 received fastenersused to secure the mounting flange 810 to the substrate layer 235 of acushion 210. Countersunk regions 815 defined in a first side 925 of themounting flange 810 allow heads of the fasteners to be recessed into themounting flange 810.

The male latching element 205 also includes an enlargement or head 820integrally formed with the second end 905 of the shaft 800. The head 820has a maximum outer cross-dimension 825 that is greater than the minorinner cross-dimension, B, of the split sleeve 300 and smaller than themajor inner cross-dimension, A, of the split sleeve 300. The head 820has a dual tapered configuration. For example, the head has a firsttapered region 805 that extends from the second end 905 of the shaft 800to the major outer cross-dimension 825 of the head 820 and a secondtapered region 830 that extends from the major outer cross-dimension 825of the head 820 to an apex 835 of the head 820. The first tapered region805 increases in cross-dimension as the first tapered region 805 extendsfrom the second end 905 of the shaft 800 to the major outercross-dimension 825 of the head 820. The second tapered region 830decreases in cross-dimension extending from the major outercross-dimension 825 of the head 820 to the apex 835 of the head 820.

It is preferred for the male latching element 205 to have a molded, onepiece construction. In one embodiment, the male latching element 205 isconstructed of a plastic material such as nylon. Additionally, it ispreferred for the mounting flange 810 of the male latching element 205to be relatively thin. In one embodiment, the mounting flange 810 has athickness C less than or equal to about ¼ of an inch. In anotherembodiment, the mounting flange has a thickness C less than or equal toabout 3/16 of an inch. In still another embodiment, the mounting flangehas a thickness C less than or equal to about ⅛ of an inch.

To install the female latching element 215 to a structural component 220of a boat 100, a hole 240 is cut into or otherwise provided in thestructural component 220 of the boat 100. Preferably, the hole isslightly larger than the maximum diameter of the socket portion of thefemale latching element 215. Once the hole 240 is provided in the boat100, the split sleeve 300, with the elastic ring 600 pre-installedthereon, is inserted through the hole 240 such that the shoulder 320 ofthe mounting flange 410 seats on the structural component 220 of theboat 100. Fasteners are then inserted through the fastener openings 425of the mounting flange 410 and into the structural component 220 of theboat 100 to secure the female latching element 215 to the structuralcomponent 220. As so mounted, the female latching element 215 has a“flush mounted” configuration relative to the structural component 220.By “flush mounted”, it is meant that the structural component 220 of theboat does not have any recess for receiving or otherwise accommodatingthe thickness of the mounting flange 410.

The male latching element 205 is secured to a cushion 230 by placing aback side 930 of the mounting flange 810 against the substrate 235 ofthe cushion 230. Thereafter, fasteners are inserted through the fasteneropenings 1000 and into the substrate 235 to secure the male latchingelement 205 to the substrate 235. As so mounted, an outwardly facingsurface 935 of the mounting flange 810 is slightly recessed relative tothe lip provided about the perimeter of the cushion (not shown).

To latch a cushion 210 to a mounting location 225, the cushion 210 ispositioned adjacent the mounting location so that the axis N of the malelatching element 205 aligns with the axis M of the female latchingelement 215. The cushion 210 is then moved linearly toward the mountinglocation 225 so that the shaft 800 of the male latching element 205 isinserted through the lead-in opening 415 of the mounting flange 410 andinto the central passage 320 of the split sleeve 300. As the shaft 800is inserted into the split sleeve 300, the head 820 causes the first andsecond half-sleeves of the split sleeve 300 to flex away from oneanother thereby enlarging the minor inner cross-dimension B of the splitsleeve 300 so as to allow the head 820 of the male latching element 205to pass through the second end 405 of the split sleeve 300. Typically,the first and second half-sleeves flex at hinge locations located at thefirst end 400 of the split sleeve 300. The elastic ring 600 is providedto increase the amount of force required to flex the first and secondhalf-sleeves apart. By varying the elasticity of the ring, the forcerequired to insert the head of the shaft through the split sleeve 300and to remove the shaft 800 from the split sleeve 800 can be increasedor decreased as needed. The insertion process continues until the head820 of the shaft 800 passes completely through the split sleeve 300 andthe first and second half-sleeves flex or snap back toward one anothersuch that the second end 405 of the split sleeve 300 opposes the firsttapered region 805 of the head 820. FIG. 11 is an example embodiment1100 of the male latching element 205 inserted into the female latchingelement 215.

To remove the cushion 210 from the cushion mounting location 225, thecushion 210 is pulled linearly away from the mounting location in adirection parallel to the axes M and N. As the cushion 210 is pulledaway from the mounting location 225, the first tapered region 805 of thehead 820 causes the first and second half-sleeves of the split sleeve300 to flex apart thereby allowing the head 820 to pass through thecentral passage 320 of the split sleeve 300. After the head 820 passesthrough the split sleeve 300, the first and second half-sleeves flexback together due to the elasticity provided by the elastic ring 600 andthe inherent resiliency provided by the half-sleeves adjacent the hingelocations.

The preceding embodiments are intended to illustrate without limitationthe utility and scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in theart will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the truespirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A boat comprising: a hull having a bow, a stern, a port side and astarboard side; a structural component positioned within the hull, thestructural component defining at least a portion of a cushion mountinglocation, the structural component defining a mounting openingpositioned at the cushion mounting location; a female latching elementhaving a flange that seats on the structural component and a receiverhaving at least a portion that projects outwardly from the flange andextends through the mounting opening; a cushion that mounts at thecushion mounting location, the cushion having a resilient cushioninglayer secured to a substrate forming a backing of the cushion; a malelatching element including a shaft having a base end and a free end, themale latching element also including a flange connected to the base endof the shaft and an enlargement provided at the free end of the shaft,the flange of the male latching element being connected to the substrateof the cushion with the shaft projecting outwardly from the backing ofthe cushion; wherein the cushion is mounted at the cushion mountinglocation by moving the cushion toward the cushion mounting location suchthat the shaft of the male latching element is received within thereceiver of the female latching element thereby causing the cushion tobe latched to the structural component.
 2. The boat of claim 1, whereinthe mounting flange of the female latching element has a thickness thatis less than or equal to one quarter of an inch.
 3. The boat of claim 1,wherein the mounting flange of the male latching element has a thicknessthat is less than or equal to one quarter of an inch.
 4. The boat ofclaim 1, wherein the flange of the female latching component is fastenedto the structural component and the flange of the male latchingcomponent is fastened to the substrate of the cushion.
 5. The boat ofclaim 1, wherein the female latching component has a flush mountedconfiguration relative to the structural component.
 6. The boat of claim1, wherein the enlargement at the free end of the shaft of the malelatching element includes a head having a rounded, conical end.
 7. Theboat of claim 1, wherein the receiver of the female latching elementincludes a split sleeve.
 8. The boat of claim 7, wherein the splitsleeve includes at least first and second pieces separated bysplit-lines.
 9. The boat of claim 8, wherein the split sleeve includestwo half-pieces.
 10. The boat of claim 7, wherein the split sleeveincludes a first end positioned at the flange of the female latchingelement and a second end spaced from the flange of the female latchingelement, and wherein the split sleeve has a truncated conicalconfiguration with a major cross-dimension positioned at the first endof the split sleeve and a minor cross-dimension positioned at the secondend of the split sleeve.
 11. The boat of claim 7, wherein the femalelatching element includes an elastic ring mounted around the splitsleeve.
 12. The boat of claim 11, wherein the elastic ring is mounted ina circumferential groove defined around an exterior of the split sleeve.13. The boat of claim 11, wherein the split sleeve and the flange of thefemale latching element are integrally molded as a unitary plastic part.14. A latching arrangement comprising: a female latching elementincluding a split sleeve that extends along a first axis from a firstend to a second end, the female latching element also including a flangethat projects radially outwardly from the first end of the split sleeve,the female latching element further including an elastic ring thatmounts around the split sleeve at a location between the first andsecond ends of the split sleeve; a male latching element including ashaft that extends along a second axis from a first end to a second end,the male latching element also including a flange that projects radiallyoutwardly from the first end of the shaft, the male latching elementfurther including an enlarged head positioned at the second end of theshaft; wherein the male latching element is coupled to the femalelatching element by inserting the shaft of the male latching elementthrough into the receiver of the female latching element.
 15. Thelatching arrangement of claim 14, wherein the first and second axes areco-axially aligned when the shaft of the male latching element ispositioned within the split sleeve of the female latching element. 16.The latching arrangement of claim 14, wherein the mounting flange of thefemale latching element has a maximum thickness measured in thedirection of the first axis that is less than or equal to one quarter ofan inch.
 17. The latching arrangement of claim 16, wherein the mountingflange of the male latching element has a maximum thickness measured inthe direction of the second axis that is less than or equal to onequarter of an inch.
 18. The latching arrangement of claim 14, whereinthe head at the second end of the shaft of the male latching element hasa rounded, conical end.
 19. The latching arrangement of claim 14,wherein the split sleeve includes at least first and second piecesseparated by split-lines that extend along the first axis.
 20. Thelatching arrangement of claim 19, wherein the split sleeve includes twohalf-pieces.
 21. The latching arrangement of claim 14, split sleeve hasa truncated conical configuration with a major cross-dimensionpositioned at the first end of the split sleeve and a minorcross-dimension positioned at the second end of the split sleeve. 22.The latching arrangement of claim 14, wherein the elastic ring ismounted in a circumferential groove defined around an exterior of thesplit sleeve.
 23. The latching arrangement of claim 14, wherein thesplit sleeve and the flange of the female latching element areintegrally molded as a unitary plastic part.